Fair question. As a comic book reader of more than half a century I wanted to contact other individuals with a similar interest. Attempts to reach comic book collectors through worldwide web searches were frustrating to the max. Always took me back to major comic book mega dealers not fans. Discussion forums a definite hit and miss proposition. Usually miss with a capital M! If most comic book readers are like me they have limited funds to spend. Remember comic book trading? I am sure some old timers like me do. A practice that has been dormant for far too long.
WHAT IS COMIC BOOK TRADING?
I have read this Batman so can I exchange it for that Justice League Of America that you have read? Comic book trading is just that simple. Lovers of comic books interacting with other comic book lovers in a beneficial manner. Comic books are meant to be read and enjoyed not sealed away for eternity like a card which has only two sides anyway. The front of back of a card can be viewed even when permanently sealed. That is not the case with a comic book. Only the cover plus last page can be seen once comic book is sealed. How much fun is that?
SITE FOR FOLKS WHO LOVE COMICS
I have marginal skills when it comes to computers. I am a comic book enthusiast over half a century old who actually typed on manual typewriters during most of my journalistic career. The thought of crafting this page from scratch scared the dickens out of me. I felt I had no other option. I am certain there are others out there just like me desperate to contact other fans not mega dealers located in metropolis strongholds like New York and California. The people who operate most of those mega stores stopped being true comic book fans decades ago.
HOW DOES CBTP WORK? I require a user name plus an active email address. I prefer a one word user name but a first and last name will be allowed. A charter member will be allowed to choose three of the six available comic book categories. These are Old, Classic, Neat, New, Newer and Modern. Once general membership goes into effect only one category of choice will be allowed per member. Some fans are fond of all era comic books while others like myself prefer certain time periods. My personal preference is comic books published prior to 1975. Special love for those with 12 cent cover price.
IS THERE A CHARGE FOR CBTP LISTING?
Unfortunately there is. While it is my fondest dream to connect comic book fans I am far from a non profit entity. I hope to direct fans to my free auction sites. I also hope to make this an all around site for all comic book fanatics as I become more adept at using the new fangled things to improve this site. Members will be charged a one time listing fee. This listing is good for user name plus email address provided with application. If email address changes a new membership application will be required with applicable fee. Hope this is not too much of an inconvenience.
WHAT IS ONE TIME CBTP LISTING FEE?
The one time application fee for a charter member is $5. This introductory price will remain in effect until August 31, 2013. After that date the standard fee of $10 will take effect. Due to circumstances beyond my control only United States domestic applications are being accepted at this point. Comic book collectors outside the USA will be accepted for a limited rime once I begin accepting online payments. Until I get fully set up and my site operational I will be forced to accept United States Post Office money orders as payment. Passing a fake one of these babies is a FEDERAL offense!
I AM READY JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO
Thanks. God bless you. Write the name you would like to have published on CBTP (user name) along with active email address. Purchase United States Post Office money order for $5. Please make sure to retain receipt for your private records. Then send user name and email address along with postal money order to: CBTP, Box 251, Sylvester, GA 31791. Members will be added to site as I receive them. Payments postmarked after July 31, 2013 will be returned. I will add online payments as I become more comfortable with this web site building process. Surprised I got this far!
HOW WILL MY LISTING APPEAR?
I am listed as ME in three categories already. One of the few perks with being site designer. Once application has been confirmed then user name plus email address will appear on site. Charter members have option of selecting maximum of three categories. The categories are a guideline as comic books from 1960s have far different look than those being published today. Standard cover prices of 12 cents were the norm during Silver Age. Except for those wonderful annuals which cost 25 cents but provided quite a bit of reading for fans.
WHY DOES CBTP CHARGE FEE?
Another fair question. One which I would ask myself. I do this to ensure that members are serious about participating in site. Names which appear above WANT to be here and active on site. If a site is free then an individual might be listed then disappear from sight entirely. I want CBTP to be user friendly. My dream is to connect comic book fans through a single Internet site. Something which does not presently exist to my knowledge. This site only came into being when I was unable to reach comic book collector on worldwide web.
HOW CAN I ENSURE SAFE TRADES?
Another excellent question. Once collectors agree on trade I recommend the following. It has worked extremely well for me for decades. The one initiating the trade should send items with United States Post Office confirmation tracking. This is just under a buck. Once package is received then the receiver should forward promised items with confirmation tracking. This should be satisfactory for both collectors. Remember that collector want the comic books you are offering just as badly as you want theirs. That is the spirit behind comic book trading.
PURPOSE OF CBTP
The purpose of CBTP is to connect comic book readers with each other via one convenient Internet site. Since the site purpose is to guide comic book fans toward each other the site can accept no legal liability for the actions of others. If these are complaints or concerns about a member or transaction please contact me directly. I strongly recommend that a member search be initiated to ensure that individual is a member of site before initiating any trades. Remember that email addresses are viewable by every surfer that accessses CBTP.
HELP RESURRECT COMIC BOOK TRADING
Please help this site become successful. Comic book trading is a fun way to enjoy those four color gems. I guess there is a place for folks who want comic books sealed forever but I sure do not understand em. Cards yes. Comic books no. Suppose a Rembrandt painting were covered up for its protection but the frame was visible? Uh huh. Suppose a Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta or Al Williamson story was inside. Forever hidden from view. Vice cover though. Uh huh. Once put cards on my bicycle for noise. Never did that with comic books. Oh well.